On Wednesday evening, ESPN’s Louis Riddick noted he has extremely high hopes for Jayden Daniels‘ rookie campaign.
The Washington Commanders did not hesitate in mortgaging their future on the dynamic dual threat of a quarterback that is Daniels choosing him with the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. The former Heisman Trophy winner dazzled the college football world with his jaw-dropping running ability in the open field and his ultra-accurate passes.
Riddick thinks the decision will serve Washington well.
Riddick couldn’t contain himself with his excitement over Daniels’ rookie season.
“It’s hard to not get super excited Kevin, about Jayden Daniels,” Riddick explained. “And I think everyone knows how I feel about him. And how he accepted the challenge at LSU, mastered it, and became the Heisman Trophy winner. He’s gonna accept the challenge now while playing on a football team where three fifths of the offensive line is going to be new. They have one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the NFL in Terry McLaurin. Jahan Dotson is a playmaker in his own right. They drafted Ben Sinnott out of Kansas State, who’s a fantastic athlete and tight end. And then they got Austin Ekeler.
“So, he’s got some help. And a developing offensive line. So those things kind of have to work around him, but as far as himself and what he is doing. You’ve seen some of the clips that the Commanders have put out there in terms of some of the throws he has made already in OTAs. And it’s spectacular. And I’ve had correspondence with people down there who have said, look, very rarely does the ball hit the ground. He puts the ball exactly where it needs to be put. He can throw with touch. He can throw with velocity. He is a student of the game and he is someone I think, most importantly, Kevin, that the players have gravitated towards already.”
Riddick certainly isn’t alone in his excitement for Daniels’ rookie campaign. Shortly after the first round of the draft, the former LSU superstar was listed with the third best odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year at +650, just behind the leaders, Caleb Williams +200, and Marvin Harrison, Jr. +600.
Jayden Daniels was one of the all-time greats in CFB history
During his last season at LSU, Daniels logged for career-best numbers across the board as he completed 72.2% of his throws for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, and only four interceptions with his arm. On the ground, he tallied 1,134 additional yards along with 10 more scores, all leading to a slew of awards and, to cap it all off, a Heisman Trophy.
For his college career, he amassed 12,749 passing yards, 89 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He was also a 3,000-yard career rusher across five seasons of college football. At the time his career ended, Daniels stood as the only FBS player in college football history to amass 12,000 passing and 3,000 rushing yards a piece.
